How to Change Your Twitter Handle

Changing your X (formerly Twitter) handle is a quick technical fix, but selecting the right new handle involves strategic considerations that affect your brand. This guide walks you through the step-by-step process for changing your username and covers the important planning you need to do before and after to make the transition smooth for you and your audience.

Your Handle vs. Your Display Name: What's the Difference?

First, it's important to understand the two names associated with your X profile, because they serve very different purposes. Confusing them can lead to mistakes, so let’s clarify this right away.

Your Handle (or Username)

Your handle is your unique identifier on X. It’s what follows the "@" symbol and appears in your profile URL (e.g., twitter.com/YourHandle). This is the name people use to mention, tag, or reply to you. Think of it as your account's permanent address. It must be unique, no two accounts can share the same handle.

• Uniqueness: Entirely unique to you.
• Format: Between 4 and 15 characters.
• Characters Allowed: Only letters, numbers, and underscores (_). No spaces, dashes, or other symbols.
• Primary Function: Used for logins, mentions (@YourHandle), and your profile URL.

Your Display Name

Your display name is shown above your handle on your profile and next to your profile picture in the feed. This is your personal or brand name and doesn't have to be unique. You can update it at any time without affecting your handle, and it can be much more descriptive.

• Uniqueness: Not unique. You and ten other people could have the display name "The Marketing Pro."
• Format: Up to 50 characters.
• Characters Allowed: Almost anything, including spaces and emojis.
• Primary Function: Serves as your primary, visible identity in tweets and conversations.

In short: Your display name reflects who you are. Your @handle is how people find you and communicate with you. This article focuses on changing that unique @handle.

Why You Might Want to Change Your Twitter Handle

People change their handles for many reasons, but most motivations fall into these categories. Assessing your reason can help you choose the best possible new handle for your goals.

• A Full Rebrand: The most common reason. If your company name changes - like from “SuperFast Startups” to “Velocity Inc” - you’ll want your social media handles to match. An old, outdated handle can cause brand confusion.
• Professional Growth: Maybe your first handle was @Sk8rPro_2008, which felt right at the time. As you build a professional brand or business, switching to something like @JessicaMillerCFO helps align your social presence with your career.
• Improved Discoverability: A handle that's long, hard to spell, or filled with random numbers is difficult for people to remember and tag. Changing from @chris_jones1984_NYC_ to @CJCreates makes you instantly more searchable and memorable.
• Brand Consistency: If your brand is @GlowUpBeauty on Instagram and TikTok, but your X handle is @GlowUpBeautyOfficial, it creates some friction. Securing the same handle across all platforms strengthens your consistent online identity.
• Finally Got It!: Sometimes the handle you've always wanted is taken. If it becomes available, it’s the perfect time to switch and claim your ideal username.

The Pre-Change Checklist: 4 Things to Do First

Don't rush into changing your handle without a plan. A little upfront preparation can save you headaches later. Here’s a simple four-step checklist to follow before making the switch.

1. Brainstorm and Check Availability

Your new handle is valuable real estate. Don’t settle for the first idea that comes to mind. Spend some time brainstorming variations that are short, clear, and represent your brand. Try to:

• Keep it short and memorable. The easier it is to type, the better.
• Relate it to your name or brand. Obvious but essential.
• Avoid too many numbers and underscores. @LauraWrites looks cleaner and more professional than @Laura_Writes_123. One underscore is fine if needed, but more than that can look spammy.
• Make it easy to say aloud. If you mention your handle on a podcast or in a video, will people know how to spell it?

Once you have a list of options, check if they are available. The easiest way is to type twitter.com/DesiredHandle into your browser. If a profile loads, it’s taken. If you see a "This account doesn’t exist" page, you’re good to go.

2. Inform Your Audience (Don’t Be a Ghost)

If you have an engaged following, changing your handle without warning can cause confusion. Your followers are used to seeing a specific name and profile picture. Give them a heads-up!

A few days before the change, post a simple announcement. Something like: "Quick update! We're doing a bit of rebranding and will be changing our handle to @YourNewHandle this Friday. Don’t worry, all our content and history will stay right here!" Pinning this Tweet ensures anyone visiting your profile sees it.

3. List All External Links

Where is your current X handle displayed? Think of all the places online and offline where you link to your profile. Common spots include:

• Your website's header, footer, or contact page
• Your other social media bios (Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn)
• Your email signature
• Your Linktree, Beacons, or other "link-in-bio" pages
• Business cards and other physical marketing materials
• Author bios on other websites or publications

Make a quick list. This will be your post-change checklist so you can update everything at once.

4. Check When You Engage the Most

Try to change your handle during a time when your audience is less active, like a weekend evening or late at night. This minimizes immediate confusion and gives you a buffer to make all your updates without disrupting active conversations about your brand. It’s a small detail, but it can make the transition smoother.

How to Change Your Twitter Handle: Step-by-Step Instructions

Ready to switch? The process itself takes about a minute. Here are the exact steps for both desktop and mobile.

On Desktop (Web Browser)

1. Log in to your account on X.com.
2. In the left navigation menu, click on More, then select Settings and privacy.
3. From the settings menu, choose Your account, then click on Account information.
4. X will ask you to re-enter your password to confirm your identity.
5. Click on Username. Here, you'll see your current handle.
6. Type your desired new handle into the box. If it’s taken, a message will inform you. If it’s available, you'll see a green checkmark or no warning message.
7. Click Save. The change is immediate.

On the X Mobile App (iOS and Android)

1. Open the X app and tap your profile picture in the top-left corner to open the menu.
2. Scroll down and tap Settings &, Privacy.
3. Tap Your account, then Account information.
4. Tap your current Username.
5. Type your new handle into the field. The app will confirm availability as you type.
6. Once you’ve entered an available handle you like, tap Done. Your username is now updated.

And that’s it! Your new handle is now live.

What Happens After You Change Your Handle?

Changing your handle updates your identity on the platform, but your account history and audience remain.

• What You Keep: All your existing data is preserved. This includes your followers, accounts you follow, your past Tweets and replies, lists, and direct messages. You don’t have to start over.
• What You Lose: Nothing, really... but your old handle is immediately released. As soon as you click "Save," another user can claim your previous username. This makes having your post-change plan ready very important.
• Verification Badge: If you are a verified user with a blue or gold checkmark, X states that you may temporarily lose it while they re-review your account. Usually, the checkmark returns shortly after a simple handle change that complies with their rules.
• Broken Links: Links on external sites pointing to twitter.com/YourOldHandle will now lead to a "page not found" error unless someone else claims your old handle. This is why updating your marketing assets quickly is essential to redirect traffic.

Your Post-Change Action Plan: Securing Your New Brand Identity

Changing your handle is just the first step. To ensure the transition is complete, follow these final steps.

1. Post Your Official Announcement: Use your pre-planned message to announce the change. Post a new Tweet and pin it. For example: "It’s official! You can now find us at @NewHandle. Update your bookmarks! Exciting things ahead." Mention both handles in the post to connect the dots for your audience.
2. Update Your External Links: Go through your website, other social bios, email signature, and physical marketing materials - all to update your handle.
3. Claim Your Old Handle: To prevent squatters or impersonators from hijacking your old handle, consider creating a new, empty account that acts as a redirect. In its bio and pinned Tweet, state: “We’ve moved! Find us at @BrandNewHandle.” This helps protect your old identity and guides followers to the new one.

Final Thoughts

Changing your X handle is straightforward, but the key lies in choosing a name that fits your brand and managing the transition thoughtfully. By preparing beforehand and updating your assets afterward, you can refresh your online identity without losing momentum or confusing your audience.

While one handle change is simple, maintaining consistent branding across Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Threads can seem daunting. We built Postbase to help with this: a simple visual calendar where you can see all your content and profiles in one place. It makes maintaining a consistent presence much easier, especially after a major rebrand.